IndianaLocalNews

Indiana economy report card highlights education, healthcare struggles

(Photo supplied/Indiana Chamber of Commerce)

(Inside Indiana Business): A new report from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce suggests while the state’s business climate remains a bright spot, Indiana continues to lag in educational achievement, healthcare, and new business formation.

The chamber’s Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card says the state dropped to 23rd in the nation for net job creation in businesses that are at least six years old.

The report, which is the chamber’s fifth in the last decade, compares all 50 states on 70 metrics split into four key areas: Outstanding Talent, Attractive Business Climate, Superior Infrastructure, and Dynamic and Creative Culture.

The chamber says Indiana ranks among the top 10 in seven of the metrics and has 10 rankings of 40th or worse.

Among the high points, Indiana saw a two-year increase of Hoosiers with access to high-speed broadband and mobile connections from nearly 87% to nearly 93%. Additionally, venture capital investments have risen by nearly 56% over the past three years.

However, the chamber says the state continues to struggle in healthcare, particularly with its adult smoking rate of 19.2%, which is 40th in the nation. Indiana also ranks 37th and 40th for residents with associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees, respectively.

“As we evaluate economic health post-pandemic, thought leaders must not wait for the dust to settle before evaluating the state’s economic vitality,” Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brinegar said in a news release. “The sooner we identify our strengths and acknowledge our shortcomings, the sooner we can act. Our Report Card findings will serve as a basis for important discussions at a number of regional forums we are facilitating in the next two months.”

You can connect to the full Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card by clicking here.

Related posts

13th annual radiothon for Five Star Life underway, Donate at 855-432-1000

Jon Zimney

Michiana Crime Stoppers to host 2024 Spring Shedding Event this weekend

Network Indiana

Indiana State Police partners with DEA for 26th Drug Take Back Day

Jon Zimney

3 comments

Charles U Farley May 25, 2021 at 4:38 pm

The Chamber of Commerce is a big government RINO outfit, their solution is to throw money at it. Tax money. Tax money taken from residents, not from businesses.

Really not that different than the tax and spend left, in many respects…

Reply

Leave a Comment